The correct solution is to fix sendmail so it doesn't do DNS queries until it actually needs the info for something, or to get rid of it altogether. Various incorrect solutions could include making your own copy of lsv_amin.c with the 'in' prefix changed to 'aa' or whatever, and using this for your important lists. Whether it actually gives you precedence varies from one unix to another, and it clearly won't interrupt the job in progress (which at 30 sec per RCPT TO: could take hours to run) to run your new request. Eric